Never judging books by their cover

Carole Matthews’ is kicking 2018 off with a bang with a new book called ‘Million Love Songs’.

What the back cover says –

After splitting up with her cheating husband, Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She’s single for the first time in years and she’s going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she’s looking for is another serious relationship.

Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he’s charming, smooth, and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun, yet Ruby can’t help feel that something is missing. Joe on the other hand is kind, attentive and good-looking, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.

Ruby soon has some very tough decisions to make. Is she even ready for a relationship? Ruby may think she knows what she wants, is that what she needs to be truly happy?

‘Million Love Songs’ sees Carole Matthews at her feel-good best, with a wonderful and emotional story of starting over and finding happiness. An absolute must-read!

Sarra Manning is back with her second historical fiction book called ‘The House Of Secrets’.

The story of ‘The House Of Secrets’ is –

Every home has a story to tell . . .

An ordinary house on an ordinary street, built in 1936 and never lived in. Its rooms might be empty, but this house is full of secrets.

When Zoe and Win, raw and reeling from a recent tragedy, move into their new home it’s meant to be a fresh start and a way to mend the holes in their relationship.

But pushed to the back of a cupboard is a suitcase that’s been gathering dust for eighty years. Inside is a wedding dress, letters and a diary all belonging to a woman called Libby. And there’s something else in the suitcase, something that echoes Zoe’s own pain.

Zoe follows Libby’s trail from Paris to Spain on the brink of Civil War to secret trysts in London, and as Libby finds the courage to live and love again, Zoe begins to let go of her own grief.

But when Libby’s story takes a darker turn, Zoe becomes increasingly obsessed with discovering what really happened all those years ago. Because if Libby managed to get her happy ever after then maybe Zoe and Win can too.

With it’s beautiful cover, ‘The House Of Secrets’ sounds like a classy read from Sarra.

Olivia has never experienced a snow-covered, ‘traditional’ Christmas before. Having grown up in a family that chose winter sun over decking the halls, she’s not sure what all the fuss is about. So when she and her colleagues are stranded in New York after a work trip, Olivia is perfectly happy spending the holiday season in the Big Apple. Jon, Olivia’s friend, on the other hand is desperate to get home in time for his big family get-together. Nevertheless, determined to make the best out of the situation, he sets out to show Olivia how enchanting Christmas in New York can be. And when handsome New Yorker Elijah is added to the mix, could the magic of the season finally be working its charm on Olivia? As 25 December draws closer, Olivia suddenly finds herself with a decision to make: who does she really want to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?

When it comes to Christmas books. Lisa Dickenson certainly knows how to write a good one, after falling in love with her debut story, ‘The Twelve Dates Of Christmas’, I was delighted to receive a copy of her Christmas story and was immediately engrossed in this romantic tale set in the bustling city of New York.

When it comes to Christmas, Olivia doesn’t go overboard, her parents prefer to disappear to a warmer and sunnier climate and her sisters are always looking for their next adventure whilst Olivia spends the festive season alone. After being left broke and alone, she is careful with her money and tends to over think her spending. When the opportunity arises to go to New York with her work, Girls Of The World, Olivia jumps at the chance to get away and show her potential and plus it will give her the chance to see Jon, a friend who she always meets at work conferences. It’s whilst working in New York that the weather takes a turn for the worse leaving Olivia and her work mates stranded there for Christmas and although everyone wants home, Olivia is secretly delighted that she gets to spend some time with Jon, who is determined to show Olivia the true meaning of Christmas.

The story is written in the first person and gives a witty and fun insight into Olivia’s nature, she’s a kind woman, who’s taken over the maternal role of guardian of her workmates whilst in New York, she helps with their secrets and offers a shoulder when their upset and want to get home to their partners. I found her to be genuinely entertaining character, who was relatable and optimistic in her situations and personality. As she was hurt in the past, she is hesitant of making the same mistakes and even though she is attracted to John, she is scared of history repeating itself. As the story progresses, it’s lovely seeing Olivia begin to feel more confident in herself and begin to believe in Christmas as the magic of the story unfolds.

Jon, is absolutely delicious and is besotted with Olivia, he’s supportive and wants nothing more, than to give her a traditional Christmas, a Christmas that he grew up with, having come from a big and loving family.

The other characters in the story make for vibrant reading, as personalities clash and new relationships ignite and set against the snowy backdrop of New York makes this story even more charming, as Olivia discovers the city and the Christmas charm behind each place that Jon takes her.

A cleverly written story that is heartwarming from the very beginning about the magic of Christmas and love, ‘Mistletoe On 34th Street’ is the perfect fun and festive read to curl up with this Christmas.

We have only finished Carole’s latest instalment of the Chocolate Lovers series, and already Carole has treated us to a brand new book. We’ve had ‘The Chocolate Lovers Christmas’ and now get your hats and confetti ready, because the fourth book in the series is called ‘The Chocolate Lovers’ Wedding’.

The story of ‘The Chocolate Lovers’ Wedding’ is –

The ladies of The Chocolate Lovers’ Club should be gearing up for the wedding of the year but life keeps getting in the way . . .

Lucy is worried about her financial situation and it keeps distracting her. Should she accept an offer of help from an untrustworthy source?

Nadia may have a real chance at finding love but other areas of her life aren’t so rosy. Something needs to change – but what?

Autumn can’t wait to meet someone she hasn’t seen in a very long time. She’s full of hope for the future but then things don’t exactly go to plan . . .

Chantal has been through so much and she’s finally starting to feel settled. The last thing she needs is the kind of bad news that could change her life all over again.

And yet, despite all the ups and downs, the Chocolate Lovers’ ladies know they can get through it all as long as they have each other. They’re not going to let anything get in the way of their happy-ever-afters in . . . The Chocolate Lovers’ Wedding.

Sounds like another delicous book to look forward to in 2016.

You can pre-order The Chocolate Lovers’ Wedding (Chocolate Lovers Club 4)from Amazon and will be available to buy from good bookshops from 7th January 2015.

The original ‘Geordie Shore’ girl, Vicky Pattison is back with a second book this year called ‘A Christmas Kiss’.

The story of ‘A Christmas Kiss’ –

Amber Raey is working all the hours God sends as assistant to one of the country’s top fashion designers, and her boss is a complete nightmare. Amber’s dream is to launch her own fashion line one day so, for the time being, she just has to grin and bear it. And then opportunity comes knocking and Amber’s suddenly on the fast track to the top.

The parties, the glamour, a whirlwind romance – Amber loves every second of her new life. But there’s more to this world than its glossy exterior suggests, and when a face from Amber’s past reappears, she finds herself in real trouble. With Christmas fast approaching, Amber is drifting further and further away from her family and friends. Can she get her life back on track before it’s too late for a merry Christmas?